Modelling rail corrugation with specific-track parameters focusing on ballasted track and slab track

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to compare three types of track (high-performance ballasted track, STEDEF and AFTRAV) from the corrugation growth point of view. This work has considered different vehicle speeds and track radii, and the results have taken into account the four wheels of a bogie. These tracks have been studied using finite elements with Nastran–Patran and RACING, a tool developed in Matlab by the authors, which estimates the corrugation growth tendency. The tracks are studied using the finite strip method and the periodic structure theory. Lateral and vertical receptances for track and vehicle have been obtained, as well as the corrugation growth functions. In the paper, the tracks are ranked according to the corrugation development.

Keywords:

• rail corrugation
• slab track
• ballasted track

Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful to CEDEX for their support through contract PT2006-024-19CCPM, and to the Basque Government for grant BFI08.172 and for the support through IT-453-10.